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The relationship between political parties & the voting public within democratic governments is examined. The benefits of employing a systems model approach to studying political processes are explained. After presenting a framework that accounts for the various relationships between government, political parties, & constituents in a democratic political system, data collected by the Netherlands Instit of Advanced Studies that measured contextual problems, electoral concerns, party priorities, & government policies in democratic governments (N = 16) over a four decade period are analyzed. Several findings illustrating the responsiveness of both government & political parties to the electorate are reported. Specific attention is dedicated to indicating how political parties & governments respond to the voting public's concerns over education, government size, welfare & defense spending, & policy priorities. Multiple conclusions are reached, eg, the voting public's political choice is strongly affected by the nation's current economic status. 1 Table, 9 Figures, 1 Appendix. J. W. Parker

Describes a number of general features based on the previous contributions on federalism & constitutionalism in a range of countries. These selections underscore the diversity of federal constitutionalism & the versatility of federalism as it has been modified to suit the specific situations of the 12 countries considered. Each constitution is an expression of its nation's history, culture, & politics as well as of its populace. No single paradigm, or paragon, of a federal constitution exists, but instead, a broad spectrum of modes are available. The appropriateness of any mode is bound up in the goals of the constitution founders & the particular conditions they contend with when assembling a federal system of sovereignty & democracy. K. Coddon

The resiliency of the contemporary welfare states is investigated. An overview of comparative approaches to studying the welfare state is provided, emphasizing such thoughts as the association of the welfare state with a social democratic government system. G. Esping-Andersen's (1990, 1999) theory of the welfare state is subsequently used to determine whether the welfare state is truly resistant & durable over time. In addition, Pierson's (1994) contention that the welfare state has proved relatively stable despite pressures for retrenchment is also discussed. After considering how social security systems diversified in contemporary democracies, the systemic differences between multiple Western welfare states are highlighted. It is subsequently asserted that welfare systems in these countries must address the financial burdens created by an aging population & growing unemployment rates. Future recommendations for comparative studies of the welfare state are offered. 2 Tables. J. W. Parker

The relationship between policy outcomes & political action within representative democratic governments is studied. It is contended that comparative political approaches to studying democracies have failed to adequately acknowledge the connection between political action & democratic institutions & how this relationship ultimately impacts government performance. In addition, it is argued that political agreement & societal contention are actually interrelated, especially in democratic governments. Consequently, it is stressed that the connection between politics & policy making must be closely examined to settle the problem of achieving political consensus within a pluralistic society. It is asserted that institutions should be perceived as mechanisms through which political action is connected to policy outcomes over certain spaces & periods of time. A framework for better understanding the multifaceted connection between political action, institutions, & policy making is also presented. The need to view democracy as a dynamic, not static, political system is articulated. 1 Figure. J. W. Parker

The evolution of comparative approaches to studying politics is investigated. An overview of comparative political perspectives in the Western world circa the early 20th century is provided. Three events that significantly altered existing comparative political approaches are identified, eg, the downfall of the Weimar Republic. In addition, the growth of concern within academic communities over political developments in certain parts of the world, eg, Latin America, is also credited with the emergence of a new comparative politics. After reviewing the new comparative approaches to exploring politics, various responses to these novel perspectives are discussed, eg, the difficulty some scholars experienced in categorizing communist systems. The increase in attention directed toward European politics during the 1970s & 1980s & the use of multiple research strategies for analyzing democratic political systems are also covered. Several additional factors that altered comparative political approaches since the 1980s are noted, eg, the rise of the welfare state. It is concluded that comparative approaches must address multiple questions that problematize the present-day world, eg, the creation of new democratic states. J. W. Parker